The head of NHS, commenting on bed-blocking crisis in NHS hospitals where up to 18,000 beds are blocked by OAP patients who are unable to leave hospitals, who may be living on their own and Councils unable to provide places in Care Homes, mainly due to cuts in Council budget, as well as severe bed shortages in Care Homes, says OAP should use equity on their homes to fund social care. But government has to increase care home capacity which is at a premium, except at the upper-end, charging £1500 a week, out of bound for most OAPs.
Even dementia tax has also now become a viable source of revenue. While all these measures may sound reasonable, in practice it may not yield much, as OAPs are getting wiser and reducing the value of their assets over a period of time to avoid falling in such a trap!
PM May performed U-turn in 2017 election, on her floated idea of collecting care bills from the proceeds of the sale of their homes on their deaths. Again such policies punishes responsible, thrifty people who have worked hard and managed their finances well, while financially irresponsible people and newly arrived gets away with ease.
It is time our government appoints an “All Party Commission” to study how NHS is managed and financed in countries like France, Germany and Scandinavia where first class treatment is available, more or less on demand.
First and foremost, it is time to introduce charges for GP and A & E visit, as well as Bed and Breakfast charges for hospital admission with few absolutely necessary exceptions. After all, it is a myth to say that NHS treatment is free at the source, as we pay for prescription charges and visit to dentists, one of the most expensive treatments in EU, although it is supposed to be free under NHS! It is high time that we bring our beloved NHS into 21st Century with every one contributing so that our elderly receive proper medical and social care they need and deserve.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
